unwind

verb

un·​wind ˌən-ˈwīnd How to pronounce unwind (audio)
unwound ˌən-ˈwau̇nd How to pronounce unwind (audio) ; unwinding; unwinds
Synonyms of unwindnext

transitive verb

1
a
: to cause to uncoil : wind off : unroll
b
: to free from or as if from a binding or wrapping
c
: to release from tension : relax
2
archaic : to trace to the end
… unwinding the labyrinth and bringing the hero out …—Laurence Sterne
3
: to undo (a financial arrangement or position) through the necessary legal or financial steps
… unwound most of its natural gas hedges …—The New York Times

intransitive verb

1
: to become uncoiled or disentangled : unfold
2
: to become released from tension
take a bath to unwind

Synonyms of unwind

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Examples of unwind in a Sentence

She unwound some thread from the spool. The fishing line unwound quickly. I wanted to unwind after a hard day.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
After a day of tasting and exploring, unwind with a three-night stay at The Mills House, located in the heart of Charleston. — Staff Author, PEOPLE, 28 Aug. 2026 As a result, other parts of the deal started to unwind as well. — Kent Jones, The Conversation, 27 Aug. 2026 Pop into cute shops like Lake Superior Trading Post and Drury Lane Books, grab a maple latte from Java Moose, take a morning hike at Artist’s Point, and unwind with a session in the country’s first floating sauna at Sisu and Löyly. — Taryn Shorr-McKee, Midwest Living, 26 Aug. 2026 Within minutes of Hochul's remarks, New York Attorney General Letitia James issued subpoenas to law enforcement agencies that either did not confirm plans to unwind their agreements, or whose responses were deemed unsatisfactory. — Marcia Kramer, CBS News, 25 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for unwind

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of unwind was in the 14th century

Rhymes for unwind

See All Rhymes for unwind

Browse Nearby Words

unwincing
unwind
unwinder
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Unwind.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unwind. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

unwind

verb
un·​wind ˌən-ˈwīnd How to pronounce unwind (audio)
ˈən-
unwound -ˈwau̇nd How to pronounce unwind (audio) ; unwinding
1
a
: to cause to uncoil : wind off
b
: to become uncoiled or untangled
2
: to make or become free of tension : relax
wanted to unwind after a hard day
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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